Breath by Breath: Finding Meaning in Tai Chi (太极)

by Mia Zhang

Mia Zhang posing for a photo with her trophies and medals!

Introduction 

“Take a deep breath and let it go.” (Oprah Winfrey) I’ve heard that quote so many times, but I never really got it—until Tai Chi showed me what it really means to breathe.

How My Journey Started 

I didn’t start Tai Chi because I was super into it. I was six, just sitting around waiting for my mom to finish her class. All I saw was a group of adults moving slowly in silence—it looked boring and honestly kinda weird. But after a few weeks of watching, I got curious and decided to try it. At first, I didn’t feel anything special. No instant connection. Just a bunch of slow movements I didn’t understand.

Growing Into It 

For a while, I just followed along without thinking. I didn’t care about the names of the forms or why we had to breathe so deeply—I just copied whatever everyone else was doing. But over time, something shifted. The movements started to feel calming. The breathing didn’t feel forced anymore.

The more time and effort I put in, the more I started to learn the meaning of the martial art—Tai Chi. Not only did I learn more about its history, but I also got to connect with its roots. I was learning what the ancestors began all the way back in the 1600s. It was such a unique experience to discover that Tai Chi actually started as a form of self-defense and a powerful use of qi (energy). What really fascinated me was learning how General Chen Wangting, from Chen Village in central China, transformed this fighting style into something meditative and flowing. He took the core ideas and created the slow, intentional movements we now recognize as Tai Chi. That transformation felt meaningful—like I was part of something bigger than just memorizing steps.

Why It Matters 

Tai Chi didn’t just make me move differently—it helped me feel different too. When school got stressful or I felt overwhelmed before a big test or competition, I’d go somewhere quiet, take a deep breath, and run through a form. It was like everything paused, and I could finally hear myself think again. Now, as Outreach Director at Courage Canvas, I’ve seen how things like breathing and mindful movement really can help people—especially youth—feel a bit more grounded.

Takeaway 

Now that I’m a certified instructor, I want to keep sharing that feeling—especially with people my age. Mental health is something so many of us struggle with, but sometimes the smallest things can help. For me, it started with a breath and a step. If I can help even one person feel the kind of calm, confidence, and connection I found through Tai Chi, then I know I’ve done something that matters. Maybe then, “Take a deep breath and let it go” won’t just be a quote—but something they can really feel, too.